On Friday, Governor Josh Green of Hawaii signed a funding bill that could make high school surfing a statewide reality. This significant move allocates over $1 million to public school leagues for the next two years, aiming to overcome major barriers in establishing surfing as an official sport. Currently, only Maui has recognized surfing as a sanctioned sport for the past decade. For this initiative to succeed across Hawaii, at least two out of three other high school leagues must adopt surfing under uniform rules and seasons. The optimism is high that by the 2025-26 academic year, surfing could officially become Hawaii's second new sport within two years.
Historically, surfing has thrived on Maui through the Maui Interscholastic League since 2014, hosting championships annually. However, its expansion faces logistical hurdles requiring unanimous adoption among Oahu, Kauai, and Big Island leagues. Chris Chun, executive director of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA), emphasized the need for synchronized seasons and standardized regulations. Despite these challenges, Keith Amemiya from Governor Green's sports task force expressed confidence in the ILH's commitment to include surfing in their upcoming school year, alongside MIL's decade-long support.
This legislative success owes much to State Representative Sean Quinlan, who championed House Bill 133. The bill appropriates substantial funds—$685,870 annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027—to facilitate interscholastic surfing programs. Quinlan highlighted Hawaii's cultural heritage tied to surfing, advocating it as a means for students to enhance ocean safety skills and connect with local traditions. Previously, cost constraints limited surfing to club activities, creating barriers to state-level recognition.
Financial provisions for surfing align closely with those allocated for flag football. Safety measures will ensure trained officials oversee competitions, similar to paddling events managed by experienced club-level organizers. Amemiya noted the prolonged effort behind this achievement, expressing hope for the culmination of surfing as a formal high school sport.
As Hawaii moves closer to integrating surfing into its educational sports framework, the initiative reflects a broader commitment to preserving cultural identity while fostering student development. With financial backing secured and league adoptions underway, the vision of statewide high school surfing appears increasingly attainable, celebrating both tradition and innovation in Hawaiian athletics.